Altharya stood awkwardly next to the servant who had picked her up in the morning, a stone-faced young man who only lifted his nose as she stepped out into the corridor. Given that she was only gifted nightwear, she had to wear the clothes from yesterday again. She knew she stank of sweat and blood. Shrugging at the servant with a sheepish smile, he sighed and motioned for her to follow him.

"Miss Lorena will be taking her breakfast in her room. It will be a private affair," his voice was nasal and she wondered whether he had a throat dysfunction forcing him to speak that way. She only nodded, choosing to remain silent. Somehow she had the feeling that if she opened her mouth that the man in front of her would only disapprove of any word that left her mouth. Now, what relation was Lorena to the head of this family? She still didn't know, and she had been biting her tongue the entire time they were walking down the corridors.

The mansion had been deserted when they had arrived late night, except for the multitude of guards. But now? The guards were practically swallowed in a flurry of activity of richly dressed people who either rushed past her, making her jump out of the way or… given how the hair on her neck rose sometimes, just plain and openly stared. It must be the collar. Was slavery lawful in this system? No… it couldn't be the collar; for once her braid had been loosened and her hair pretty much disguised it.

Her attire, then. She probably looked like a beggar to them. Did they even know? Though… they seemed to know about the little girl. Murmurs of sympathy and grief could be heard when she was shepherded around corners and through doors.

They stopped near a door in the red and golden themed corridors. The man waved for her to wait a footstep behind him as he knocked three times. A short pause; she looked at her nails. There were some dirt trapped under them. If she only had a few more minutes after she had been thrown out of bed by a certain impatient servant… she glowered at the man.

"Come in," a feminine voice called from inside and the man stepped aside, opening the door.

Soft daylight hit her face as she stepped inside, into a huge chamber, larger than her own room. Larger even than the rooms in the Jedi temple. She was so stunned that her mouth didn't even fall open as she craned her neck to look how high the ceiling went. Two stories, at least, with a crystal candelabra in the middle. The walls had winged windows all around with a view into a blooming garden. Were those coloured glass panes?

A small group of maids were flitting around the centre. But her eyes landed on the one girl that must be Lorena, who seemed to be about her age. She was talking to another maid quietly before turning around to her with a swishing of white golden silk skirts across the stone floor, the same kind of milky white stone as outside. Lorena walked towards her, a smile that reached her eyes greeting her.

"Welcome, Altharya Struhn," she greeted Altharya and stretched out a hand.

Altharya eyed the hand for a moment, her hand lifted halfway, hesitating. She was technically still dirty and dusty. How could this lady treat her as an equal? When Lorena tilted her head to the side looking at her questioningly she finally took her hand to shake it. Lorena's grasp was firm, but not dominating either. Somehow she wanted to dip herself into a tank of sanitiser now given how pristineeverything was; she was just poor.

"Thank you for your hospitality," she forced some platitudes through her teeth, which seemed glued shut.

Lorena regarded her for a second before looking at her maids who seemed to be done with whatever they were setting up, their hands falling to their sides again.

"You can leave us," she ordered which made the girls curtsy, echoing "Ma'am," before filing out of the room by the door Altharya had come through.

Her shoulders slumped when the last girl was out and the door fell shut. The metal of Lorena's headpiece tinkled when she looked back at Altharya.

"I thought you would be more comfortable if we were alone," Lorena said while waving towards a table the maids had been swarming around.

"Thank you," Altharya said. The lady was observant and considerate, it seemed. Hopefully she did not have some sort of agenda.

"Please sit down, you are, after all a guest," another smile, and Lorena stepped around the table to stand next to the chair. Now Altharya saw the food. Water flooded her mouth and she swallowed heavily as she carefully sat down opposite Lorena.

"You seem apprehensive," Lorena commented while tipping a small teapot to pour herself a cup of steaming tea. It smelled lemony and for once she felt like something of her home on Teth had returned.

"I have never seen anything like this before," she answered truthfully, looking at the plate and cutlery in front of her. Lorena looked sympathetic at the admission, leaning over to pour Altharya a cup.

"I cannot blame you. A lot of guests are overwhelmed when they first come and those are the ones who also live in luxury," she explained as Altharya's hands closed around the delicate cup, soaking in the warmth of the hot liquid inside.

"I have spent most of my time training to be a medic inside a clinic, this is… a whole other world," Altharya said. Lorena now looked curious.

"A medic? A noble goal. One I could never hope to pursue," she answered while grabbing an orange fruit from a basket, and started peeling it.

Now it made sense. Her life was dedicated to the family corporation and by virtue the running of the planet. Just what could she even say to that? She grabbed an apple from the basket, the only fruit she recognized from it.

"A medic's job is not always glorious," she elaborated. Maybe it would serve Lorena some comfort, should she have wished to become one. Lorena giggled. Altharya raised a stunned eyebrow.

"I appreciate your kindness, however I am content with the life I have now," she smiled at Altharya before taking a bite. They chewed in companionable silence.

"I wish to thank you for trying to save my sister's life yesterday," Lorena whispered quietly suddenly and Altharya nearly dropped her apple slice at how sad the lady sounded. Sister? So… she must be the granddaughter of the current leader!

"I only did my duty..." Altharya had no idea what else to say. This was… she should have expected it. A family member would always thank her for her efforts.

"I know you did, but a lot of people are scared to interfere in this… feud ," Lorena sighed before taking a sip from her cup. Somehow Altharya knew that she probably should not mention that she had no idea that there had been a feud. If it would have affected the outcome was debatable.

"I heard about that," she commented while looking at the cheese platter.

"Still, you helped, and we are eternally grateful. Senya has a fighting chance because of you."

Fighting chance? That meant the girl was fighting still. Somehow she dreaded asking. But she needed to know, needed to affirmation that her efforts were bearing fruit.

"How is she?"

"She is suspended in a bacta tank. But… the doctors are unsure, they did all they could. Her body might not be able to recover even with the bacta."

"Children heal incredibly fast," Altharya tried to give her some comfort or solace.

"I sincerely hope she can."

This time she bit her tongue to comment further. Lorena did not need uncertainty- it would not help her grief, nor would it earn her any favours either. So she kept silent.

"Do you wish to see her?" Lorena suddenly asked and Altharya snapped her head up in surprise. Truly?

"I… Yes, of course."

"Once we are done with eating, I will…" Lorena gave her a once-over and the back of her neck heated up, "give you some more appropriate attire. I take it that you felt like a sore thumb?"

Altharya just nodded and just wanted to shrink into the chair. Was it that bad that she was dressed in the clothing of a poor citizen? Would even these social circles understand that concept?

"It is not necessary…"

"I insist. Take it as gratitude and…" she leaned forward now a cool look on her face.

"I know you are a slave."

What? A slave? Her ?! What gave her that idea? She nearly dropped the cup onto a plate in shock.

"I… What?" She stuttered out and Lorena sighed.

"Slavery is illegal in this system. That collar can be removed," Lorena offered and… Altharya slumped back in her seat. Remove the collar. All offered to her on a silver platter.

"We did not make it a big deal back then as you two were the reason why we have Senya still alive and a solid lead on the assassin. However, you cannot stay a slave," Lorena explained further.

Now… should she tell Lorena it was a Force suppression collar? Not a slave collar? Though somehow she felt that by telling her that it was not a slave collar the Empire would find out where she was. Laying low, Boba had said.

"Thank you, it was becoming a bit itchy," she threw a grin at Lorena whose eyes widened at the joke and then burst into a laughing fit.

"We will get along well then, I see," she gasped after she finally composed herself. Now Altharya was not too sure about it. She had just met Lorena!

They continued eating while chatting amicably until Altharya had gathered the courage to ask why she had been invited here specifically. After all safety was a debt repaid, in her mind.

"It is tradition actually," Lorena seemed startled at the question, but she seemed willing to explain further, "My family would invite benefactors to reside here, or, in your case, to ensure your safety."

"Tradition?"

"It has been…," Lorena looked up as if to think, "five centuries now since my family had been ruling this system. A habit kind of becomes a tradition if practiced long enough."

"How often do you do that?"

"Before… you know," Lorena seemed uncomfortable for a moment. Not that Altharya could blame her. They were technically still strangers. So she continued listening, "we used to invite someone weekly to reside with us for a while. Now my grandfather has put an indefinite stop to it until the assassin is caught."

It made sense. Close down the access to the manor and ensure that no one from outside could get in. Hopefully it worked. It was nice to know that this was relative safety for now; no assassin to worry about, only Boba. Though he was an entirely different issue to begin with, which was morphing into something she did not quite know how to deal with.

"Did you enjoy it?"

Lorena looked surprised at the question with both eyebrows raised.

"I did. I worry my grandfather will get rid of the tradition even after the assassin is caught," she suddenly whispered and Altharya had to strain her ears to catch what she said.

"Do you think he will?"

"My grandfather loves us and sometimes goes overboard on our safety," Lorena said worriedly and- was that an undertone of annoyance? Altharya frowned. He let two complete strangers into his home. He let Boba kriffing Fett inside . Regardless of what she had done in their eyes.

"He let Boba Fett into his home," she deadpanned and Lorena winced in return.

"I was not informed of his reasons. But Boba Fett is a bounty hunter. They all have a price and we are not exactly without the means to provide it," she elaborated.

Somehow… it felt like it was the whole reason. Though, Altharya held her tongue.

"I suppose it worked out in the end," she said instead.

"I am glad it did."

Altharya regarded Lorena for a moment. She seemed kind and open, not at all like rich girls were portrayed in those holo-series. It was too early to be proven wrong, after all, this all could be a façade still. Though… she wanted to trust her. Maybe have a friend? She bit the inside of her cheek. They would only be here for a few days, then she'd never see Lorena again. She was being foolish.

"Are you done?" Lorena asked suddenly, motioning to Altharya's empty plate. She looked down and her stomach did not growl at the sight of the remaining food.

"Yes."

"Come," Lorena stood up, the silk of her dress billowing around her like a cloud.

"Are we going to Senya?" Altharya asked while also getting up, causing Lorena to frown at her. Somehow she felt self-conscious for asking now.

"I have another gift before we go," Lorena said carefully, "You came with no spare clothes, I was told."

Oh yeah… that. How as she to explain that she was not poor but the lack of clothes was circumstantial? What would Boba do if he knew she had told anyone about her kidnapping? They'd be gone in a flash and all who knew dead. No. She'd stay quiet about this.

But how many gifts would be thrown her way? There must be a drawback. Otherwise… it would make no sense. She was missing something. Was it considered polite to reject a gift?

"I have a few old dresses you might fit into," Lorena looked pensively at her as they walked towards another staircase leading up to a different level. Did she have a house inside a house?

"And then we can get rid of this… thing," she spat with so much venom that Altharya could only blink at her. What thing? She followed Lorena's eyes and… Oh right, she had said it would be removed.

Boba would have no chance to slap it on her again, not in view of everyone, and he would have no access to another suppression collar. Unless he went directly to Eric Arion. No, he wouldn't do that, since it would mean giving away why she was with him. But then again, Boba was unpredictable as it was.

"Why does Boba Fett even have a slave?" Lorena continued to spit in contempt.

Maybe it was best Lorena did not meet Boba. Somehow she had the feeling that Lorena would yell at Boba about her being a 'slave'.

They reached a room that was just closet doors. Altharya's jaw fell open. So many closets…. How many dresses did this woman have?

"Why do you have so many?" she blurted out. She snapped her eyes to Lorena, who looked at her blankly. Then for the second time she burst into pealing laughter.

"Believe me, I cannot wear all of them. However, if there are functions, I cannot wear the same dress twice. Don't ask me who came up with that rule."

Lorena opened a closet and started rummaging through it as Altharya stood awkwardly in the middle of the room.

"Hmm… For today… Medbay, walk in the garden… oh, also, you are asked to dine with my family tonight with Boba," she suddenly said while turning around with a blue delicate looking bundle of cloth in her hand. Speaking of schedule…

"Where is Boba? Do you know?" Altharya asked and Lorena set the bundle onto a stool in the corner of the room.

"I know that he is with the security officers trying to figure out how to catch our assassin."

"Why am I not being involved?"

"Because what you know my father and Boba already know. So we decided not to involve you yet."

Yet? That meant the option was still open though.

"I see."

"There is a mirror," Lorena pointed to a large mirror that was next to the stool, "in case you want to do something with your hair."

Altharya only nodded numbly as Lorena stepped outside.

"When you are done we can go," she had said gleefully, closing the door.

That girl had nerve… but fine. She would wear a borrowed dress and spend the day with her, even with an assassin on the loose. At least she'd finally be free to sense the Force around her again. Her hands were trembling at the anticipation.

Right, get dressed and do her braid again.

It took her half an hour to get ready. Not because she had no idea how to dress herself or braid her hair, no. But because of how how she looked in the end. The dress did not fit her perfectly at all, but it was better than some clothes she had worn before. At least it did not have a train for her to trip over, but the hem did reach her feet and… she did not know how to feel about it.

The only thing that threw her off was the collar. She had to draw a deep breath to steel herself. Outside was Lorena with her chance to get rid of the blasted thing and maybe have a nice day. To not worry about assassins, Boba, or escaping. Somehow it felt wrong even without the Force. Something was building up.

She stepped outside where Lorena was busy talking to a small girl in servant clothing.

"I will be gone for the next couple of hours. Make sure the rooms are cleaned by then," the servant girl nodded and left with a small curtsy.

"I am ready," Altharya announced herself making Lorena turn around.

"Alright. You should not be getting any dirty looks for now," Lorena said with a small and rather smug smile. She was enjoying this.

"I do not mind."

Lorena only pinched her lips at the reply. Altharya froze slightly. Had she said something wrong? Carefully she watched Lorena's face for any indication that she was offended.

"Where did you grow up?"

"I grew up on Teth," when Lorena looked at her blankly still, Altharya continued to clarify, "it is in Imperial space."

"That would explain why you have a slave collar," Lorena sighed, "Well let's go to the med-bay. I am sure you want to see Senya and get rid of it."

"Yes, please."

They walked side by side down the winding corridors… she should really start memorizing them. She was already lost if asked where they were. If she could just get a map of this place, she would be fine. Though, would it be impolite to ask for a map?

Lorena was explaining the murals on the ceilings and walls and she should really listen. A map could always wait for later.

"We put important events into murals and display them on our walls and roofs while a museum in Ebonyo has the original copies," Lorena pointed to a small mural tucked in between two large paintings. Where was she supposed to look? All of it seemed significant in their own way.

"This mural commemorates the abolishing of slavery four hundred years ago," Lorena said and Altharya squinted to look at the detail. They had stopped walking and she looked at the tiny stones that were so intricately arranged in a variety of colours. Well- half of the mural was in colour, the other half was in gray and blacks. A Rishii and a human could be seen holding hands in the colour, but in the gray portion, they faced each other, arms raised as if in fight. She did not need a historian to tell her what it meant. So the Rishii had been slaves?

"The original is much larger and more detailed in its original form."

"Why was it not made like the original?"

"Father says that it is because the most important murals are repeated throughout the house and hence the artists shrank it and omitted details."

"How many of those murals do you have?"

Lorena opened her mouth and then promptly closed it, a hand on her chin and her brows furrowed in deep thought.

"Hang on…"

They started walking again, this time in silence while Lorena was thinking.

"I can think of three at the moment."

"What are they about?"

"One is about the arrival of our civilization to this star system two thousand years ago. How my family got to power and… our separation."

"Separation?"

Lorena sighed and linked one of her arms through Altharya's steering her around a corner to a green coloured corridor.

"The family that got to power five hundred years ago was named Brenion. When slavery was abolished, the family split in two. Arion and Brent."

Oh. That made so much more sense now. But why was there open animosity? She remembered Monts saying as much when he had ranted about her choosing a side publicly. A family wouldn't want to tear the other out of existence. Right? Was she missing something?

She was definitely missing something. There was a feud. Lorena had said it herself back when they had still been eating. Just why? What was the root of it all?

"I heard…"

"That we are in a cold war? You heard correctly," Lorena sneered into empty space. She had said something wrong. The angry scowl on Lorena's face nearly made her pull her arm out from being intertwined with Lorena's. Her muscles didn't react, though.

"I am sorry," she apologized hastily, her stomach knotted anxiously. What would happen if she had offended her?

After a brief moment, the scowl fell off Lorena's face.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. We are going to see Senya, who really does not need us moping around."

Altharya nodded, holding back a snort. It was a good intention, though she seriously doubted whether they moped or not when they were inside would matter. The girl was probably in a coma recovering, or still fighting for recovery. Hopefully she'd make it . The Force couldn't be that cruel.

It could be. Remember… Kine … Shaking her head in thought, they stopped in front of a large door, one that was not decorated, but made of plain steel.

"Are you alright?"

Altharya snapped her head up and met Lorena's concerned gaze. Was she that obvious? Damn. She must get better at disguising her emotions. No one should be dragged into the mess that was her life. Think of something. Think .

"I am… just glad I will be rid of this collar," she said and deflated internally when Lorena gave an understanding nod. Altharya breathed a sigh of relief when Lorena turned around and palmed the door open with a whoosh. At least it had convinced her for now… But was she going to say when her senses came rushing back? Say she was overwhelmed that it was gone? Surely no one would buy that?

"Come on," with that she was tugged inside and instantly felt like she was transported back to Teth. The white walls, the sterilized air, the bustling of people… All was so familiar to the clinic on Teth she wanted to burst out in tears.

Get a grip! Not here !

She was being selfish… Thinking about feeling the Force again. Not about the small Senya who was somewhere, fighting, and she could not even spare more than a mere thought for her. Maybe she was like the Jedi. Selfish, genocidal… her hands were shaking now. Drawing several deep breaths, she looked around.

It was different from Teth. The people who were bustling around were doctors, not patients. Everything was so white, pure white, not the old, faded white. The man hurrying to meet them was not the white haired doctor, but a stern faced brown and silver haired man with pinched lips.

"Miss Arion, we did not expect you," he panted when he reached them.

"I am sorry, Dr. Tomo," Lorena greeted him by inclining her head while he flustered at the gesture.

"Do you wish to see your sister?"

"Yes please. How is she?"

"She is neither better nor worse," Dr. Tomo finally noticed Altharya and the scowl returned.

"Who are you?" He asked snidely looking her up and down. She shuffled her feet. Struhn had not ever talked down on anyone, even the ones who got up in his face about their supposedly 'better' knowledge of surgery.

"This is Altharya Struhn," Lorena replied for her with an eye roll, "She is the one who managed to stabilize Senya enough for the transport."

Dr. Tomo's nose seemed to rise to the ceiling and the hair on Altharya's neck rose. Was he aiming to kiss the ceiling?

"So," he sounded constipated all of the sudden. What was his problem, she frowned at him now, "you were the one."

Haughty elitist… She scowled at him. Somehow she already knew what was going to be said. How could someone who had no university medical training understand blaster wounds? Fine. Bring it. It was no worse than she had dealt with already. Angry bounty hunters and all.

"Yes," she said curtly, steeling herself for the inevitable blow exchange.

"Hmpf, you have our thanks for doing just about enough," he sounded as if he wanted to swallow his tongue more than thanking her. Lorena glared hard at him. Was this normal? Cause…

Hang on. Just 'about enough'?! That… ugh. What else was she supposed to do? Conjure bacta out of nowhere? For what she was given, she had made do with what was there. He could look down on her all he wanted. Senya had survived so far nonetheless.

"Dr. Tomo, I had hoped to see my sister. Today ."

"Of course. My apologies. Follow me please."

Dr. Tomo turned around and walked briskly in front of them. Men and their pride… Her scowl felt etched onto her face and not even the apologetic squeeze of Lorena's hand on her arm made it go away. No. She would not let this slide. Who did this person think he was to just walk all over her? Oh no. Dr. Struhn had made her of tougher stuff. Heck, she had brawled with a rowdy patient before so they'd finally let them operate. Her nails were digging into her palms now and she had to relax the fists her hands had become. How had Lorena not complained yet?

They walked past doors with name tags on them with the occasional member of staff peeking out as they walked past. How many doctors did they need? Who needed that many? On Teth only herself and Dr. Struhn had been enough.

Oh Force. Swallowing she thought of how many people there must be just living here. Did they work here too? Dr. Tomo stopped abruptly and opened a door, holding it open for them to step through. Altharya avoided looking at him, instead she lifted her nose up like he did earlier. Glee spread through her chest and she had to bite her inner lip to stop herself from smirking.

Any thoughts of glee or pettiness vanished when she saw the bacta tank in the middle of the room, connected with tubes and monitors steadily beeping away.

To say the clinic on Teth was primitive compared to this setup was… just an insult to the technology that was here. Even the bacta tank there hadn't been connected to that many monitors.

Force! They even had a blood sugar level meter! And another… was that a portable MRI? She and Struhn had been desperately scrambling credits together to get one of those for years! Heck, even after five years they had only reached the halfway mark for a black market one. With her gone… What would Struhn do? Hopefully he was alright. Hopefully he wasn't searching for her, even if it was something he'd do.

A small body was suspended in the tank and she nearly did not recognize the small girl she had tried to help. Had that been just a day ago? It felt like years. Senya looked small and frail, her tiny fingers moving with the flowing bacta.

The burn mark nearly made her gasp in horror. Slapping a hand over her mouth, she stared at the black ugly mark, no, hole, that was stretched from Senya's shoulder to the middle of her ribcage. How had she not lost her limbs yet? Any blood supply would be disturbed if the aorta was damaged. Her stomach sank to her knees. That wound hadn't been that large when she had been yanked away, the tissue had died away far too fast over the course of a day. Catastrophic did not even begin to cover it. There was no hope, they were all kidding themselves if they thought this could be salvaged.

The Force was cruel .

She looked over to Lorena who was looking to the ground, her fingers on Altharya's arm digging into the fabric of the borrowed dress. Seeing a family member dying slowly in front of them and even if they threw the most advanced medicine at it, they could only watch. The feeling of helplessness was crippling, she knew that. Had felt it, had seen it… Right, stop there. No need to go back. Focus on the here and now.

But looking anywhere but the dying girl in front was better. She lifted her hand away and gripped Lorena's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. Even they were strangers, a comforting gesture sometimes meant the world to grieving people. Lorena's fingers were limp, but twitched when she squeezed them.

"Thank you," mumbled Lorena who had tilted her head to look at Altharya sideways. Altharya could only smile back. Maybe it was best if she did not say anything about how little hope she had for Senya, little to none. Though… it was not what Lorena needed. She had to suppress a snort when she heard the awkward shuffle of feet behind her. Dr. Tomo. What did he want? He must know how bleak this was. How much time had they bought her? A week at least?

She looked at the displayed monitors. Where was the brain activity one? As steadily as possible, so Lorena did not notice anything, she tried to discern where the most important monitor was.

Interesting .

It was not there. She looked to Lorena again who… her heart sank, was looking openly at her little sister's burnt chest. Now… where was this Doctor. Steadily and slowly she turned her head to look squarely at Dr. Tomo. Now what was he thinking? She glowered at him while he met her eyes steadily. He knew she knew. His reasons were going to be interesting, if he decided to indulge her. Lorena shifted beside her so she turned to look at her again.

"I think we should move on," Lorena said quietly. Her voice was forcibly composed, the tremble could be heard choking down her throat. Poor girl. How often did she have to conceal and bury it all deep down? She only nodded and Lorena turned around to Dr. Tomo who now had a sympathetic look on his face now. Something heavy was pressing on her shoulders and the air was thick. Anticipation? Grief?

Was this all just to let them all hold onto hope? To let them deny it until the girl could only breathe and eat through a machine? What then? Never turn off the machine?

"Is there something else you need?" Dr. Tomo asked, trying to stifle the tension. Lorena subtly tugged her forward and pointed to the collar. His expression never changed. Not even a twitch. What was he thinking? Did he know what it was exactly? Or did he assume it was what Lorena thought as well? Hopefully it was the latter.

"If you could remove this please," Lorena commanded, her tone under control now.

No subtle vibrations or anything to indicate how she might feel. Dangerous. She needed to watch out what she said to Lorena. Who knew with strangers? Even if that stranger felt compelled to free her, just not in the way they all thought.

Dr. Tomo nodded and motioned for them to walk out the door. Outside he lead them to a smaller room with a medical examination bed in the middle.

She wanted to see Boba's face now when he realized the collar would be off. The collar was coming off! Her chest felt lighter, as did her feet, the closer she walked to the bed. Had she sped up? Lorena was no longer at her side, but was closer to the door. No she had just stopped. How had she not noticed?

No matter. The collar was getting off and Boba would have no backup to slap on her again! She clasped her hands in front of her to stop them from trembling. Let them think she was being emotional about being freed. All it mattered that it was off and she could…

Cold gloves touched the side of neck and she shuddered.

"Relax," Dr. Tomo said neutrally while prodding around the edges of the collar. Fine, she let her shoulders drop and she felt a finger tracing the back of her neck now. Something cracked and… air touched skin that hadn't felt it anymore and… she had to grip the edge of the bed to brace herself for the full force her senses came back with leaving her winded.

Oh, Force . She would never get used to this. Senses slamming back into her skull, leaving a dull throb. Her vision was swimming and she had to close them, trying to block out the colours that swirled around.

Breathe in .

Breathe out .

This was just a moment's confusion. Nothing more. Slowly she opened her eyes again, letting her mind settle, to reach out as she had for so many years.

Her gut clenched as did her heart when she felt the grief emanating from all around her. It was heavy, constricting her lungs. She had to withdraw, close her mind. Had she become more sensitive? That hadn't happened on Teth. Should she wait for a few days before attempting again? Her forehead was pounding. Damn. Sleep would not come easy tonight.

"Are you alright?" Lorena's voice suddenly caught through the haze that her head was swimming in. Her voice was stuck in her throat and she had to swallow several times before answering.

"I am fine," she winced at how uncertain she sounded. Pull yourself together . They cannot know!

"I suggest fresh air. Sometimes these collars can be nasty," Dr. Tomo suddenly commented nonchalantly and she snapped her head up.

Ow . Bad decision, she had to pinch the bridge of her nose to keep the lights and colours contained.

Had she heard right? He could not know! Maybe slave collars were nastier than she herself knew. Right, just roll with it. If no one questioned, then she would not point it either.

"I was scheduled to go to the gardens anyways," Lorena answered, suddenly standing in front of her. Would people please stop teleporting around? She had a hard enough time keeping track if what she was sensing was part of what everyone could see and not the Force.

"Will you be alright?" The question directed towards her sounded so sincere and… the warmth that spread through her limbs through the Force was oh so comforting. Lorena was being earnest in this question.

How did Force-blind people deal with this?

She looked up and saw Lorena smiling kindly down at her.

Maybe trusting her was not too bad of an idea. So she smiled back, even if it felt like her muscles were leaden when the corners of her mouth lifted.

"Come. The gardens are not far from here," small hands snuck under her elbows and she felt herself getting up.

The walk out of the medical center was quiet and her stomach kept swooping high and low, making her grit her teeth. Grief kept poking around her mind's walls, trying to needle in.

As soon as they stepped out the onslaught grew weaker, until it was just a tiny fluttering. Lorena. She couldn't change that, nor should she. Letting people grieve was healthy according to Struhn. Only when they grieve to the point of only living because of it… that was when they as medics had to step in sometimes, if possible.

"Are you glad that collar is off?" Lorena asked, sounding curious.

"It is," she had to find the word without lying to her, "liberating."

It fit and she answered it so Lorena kept thinking she had been a slave. She looked over to Lorena who had a pensive look.

"You know I wonder why the infamous bounty hunter Boba Fett needs a slave," she asked slowly and somehow Altharya had the feeling that Lorena had been chewing on this for a while now.

Oh Force how would she answer this one? Say the truth? Kidnapped? A kidnapped slave. How would that even make sense? Who kidnapped slaves? Escaped slave and she was being collected? No no, then them being here made no sense. Anything to make Boba seem less… evil. He didn't deserve being yelled at by someone for something he hadn't actually done, even if it made a funny picture. A kidnapped slave and no opportunity to get rid of the collar?

"I… he took me from the one who owned me as a slave," she explained and had to prevent herself from cringing. Lying tasted bitter. Bah.

"I see," Lorena sounded unsure and her brows were knitted together in thought, "I suppose he is not as bad then."

"No, he is not," Altharya answered truthfully and her thoughts wandered to Boba. What was he doing right now? How did one track an assassin? What time was it even? Noon?

Had he eaten?

Changed that patch?

Had it healed enough?

They reached a large winged door that swung open and her mouth fell open again at the beauty that spread out in front of her. Green bushes sprinkled with blue, pink and all the colours that one could imagine sprinkled in between. The Force pulsed so strongly around her. So much life. How had she never felt that on Teth? Now if the answer was easy, that would be great.

But anything that was related with the Force was riddled with complications.

A light giggle made her snap her mouth shut.

"Our gardens have that effect on most visitors," Lorena smirked as she steered her along a small stone path further into the garden.

She only half-listened, turned her head around at the sound of birds chirping, the occasional rustling in the depths of bushes. Not to mention the smells, all so sweet and flowery, making her feel as if she were floating. Would anyone notice if she just buried herself somewhere and let go? It sounded like heaven to her.

"My favourite is the glass houses with the more exotic plants," Lorena pushed her slightly onto another path that opened up to a large green house that sparkled in the sunlight. Exotic plants? Wasn't Lorena supposed to be here anyways?

"Why do you need to be here?"

"The gardener said he wanted to show me something. I hope it is the Latun finally blooming, that stubborn plant refused to last year. You should see how big the petals get. Larger than my head!" Lorena gushed as she opened the door walking inside. Altharya set to follow, but as soon as she stepped inside the calm of being outside vanished and… Her heart just felt like someone pricked it with a pin. She hesitated and waited.

Nothing. It didn't happen again.

This was the Force being strange. Or was it just her body being unaccustomed to the Force and adjusting to it again? Must be it, as her heart settled again and tranquility washed over her. She was just out of whack. Lorena did not let her dwell on the strange pins and needles in her chest as she pulled her towards a large pot with a light green plant in it.

"We imported this one…." Lorena paused for a moment to think, "from Naboo a few years ago. It is still growing to maturity."

She sounded disappointed. What about? That it didn't grow fast enough? Altharya looked closer at the tall stem with leaves wrapped tightly around it. What was supposed to be so grand about it? Somehow Lorena seemed to practically vibrate next to her from giddiness.

A needle was suddenly driving through her forehead. Ow… What? Force, for once… calm down! They were in the most secure part of the entire planet! There could…. Kriff. Another stab through her heart left her flinching violently. Clutching a hand over her head, she drew in several short breaths. Her eyes flit around the plants around them. Leaves and petals were moving, as if waving to her. Was she sensing danger? She looked around while Lorena had knelt down to inspect… whatever. Rubbing her forehead she looked outside. Since when was the green so dark and… her stomach swooped low and she had to press a hand over her nose to keep her from doubling over. Menacing? What was going on? Her hands were trembling.

Get out of here .

Where to?

Her feet were rooted in place, as her lungs began prickling. The air shifted, the breeze that had wafted around them now felt like a howling monster. Goosebumps spread all across her arms when the temperature dropped around her. Her skin felt like bugs were crawling underneath it… she had to shudder.

"I wonder where the gardener is. He should be around," Lorena suddenly said snapping her out of her trance. A missing gardener. The prickling stopped for the brief moment she held her breath in shock, only to ram themselves full Force into every organ inside of her.

A trap !

AN: Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter! Please tell me what you liked or disliked, I do endeavor to improve :P
SapphiraBlue (on Archiveofourown) betaed this chapter and is an awesome person as usual.

RavenHairedQueen: Thank you for reviewing, glad you are liking it so far!